County Office for the Aging looking into free Wellsville luncheon site

Tuesday

Aug 1, 2017 at 9:25 AMAug 1, 2017 at 9:25 AM

OFA also still considering Grace United Church

By Brian QuinnDaily Reporter

WELLSVILLE — The county Office for the Aging (OFA) says it is still considering moving its luncheon center to a North Main Street church. However, the OFA is looking at other possible sites after a few people said they were concerned about moving to a site that would charge the county.

OFA Director Madeleine Gasdik Monday said the luncheon site still needs to move from the YMCA in RiverWalk Plaza because the current space isn’t large enough.

“We know we have to move … but I’m trying to find a place that’s more accessible and that won’t charge us. It was only three or four pole who had an issue with it,” she said. Gasdik said since the cost issue has been raised, she wants to do “due diligence” and look into other possibilities. She noted Grace United Church has offered space at a charge of $10 per day to help the church pay heating costs. Gasdik said the proposal would cost the OFA less than $2,000 a year and is a good deal for her department.

The OFA asks those who participate in luncheon centers for a suggested contribution of $3 per meal. That will not change if the luncheon center moves to Grace United, she said.

Gasdik said the OFA likes Grace United’s location on North Main Street.

“We really like that space and we think it would be perfect, but because some people questioned that $2,000 in our budget, I want to see if there’s another option out there that won’t charge us,” he said. “We really like that space because it’s big and they really have a nice kitchen and storage area.”

The OFA director said she last talked to Rev. David Potts, pastor of Grace United, about two weeks ago.

“I told Reverend Potts that because some people are questioning the extra $2,000 in our budget, that I’m looking to see if there’s another place we can go that would be as nice as their church.”

Potts Monday elaborated on the reason the church proposed a payment of $10 per day.

“That’s basically what we have asked for to cover the cost of bringing in our custodian every day for cleaning and for utilities,” he said. “We sponsor a number of organizations at no charge … but they’re just here for an hour. For a group that would be here for four or five hours, we felt we would have to have the bathrooms cleaned and the floor cleaned after each use.”

Potts said the church understands if the OFA chooses another facility. He said a charge of $10 per day and that the amount will not cover all of Grace United’s costs.

“We simply feel that if we cover a portion of our costs to have the custodian come in and extra utilities, that would be helpful. If that’s not possible, we understand,” he said. “Between bringing in the custodian and the extra heat in the winter, we figured it would cost of $10 per day. We’re not going to make any money on it, let’s put it that way, and anybody who thinks we are is wrong. We’d love to have them (the OFA and luncheon center attendees) there and if that’s what they decide, we’ll be good hosts.

“I don’t know how many people know this. Our church gave almost $1,500 to Meals on Wheels last year. We’re trying to support that program,” Potts said.

Gasdik said other churches in Wellsville have space downstairs, but that presents accessibility issues. She said she followed up on the fire halls in Wellsville and found that they didn’t have space that is accessible to seniors.

“There’s stairs to a few of them. The (Grant) Duke Hose Co. … although that was accessible to get in, the bathrooms were not accessible. It’s easy to get into and out of the building and it had good parking,” she said.

Gasdik noted a letter to the editor by Allen and Janet Ives of Wellsville. The letter was written in support of keeping the luncheon site at the YMCA, but Gasdik said the result was a lot of support for moving elsewhere.

“That spurred a lot of calls from people who said “I would attend if it were in a different space,’ she said. “People said they found it (the YMCA) was too cold and too crowded. That told us we’re on the right track to move, that we can build attendance.”

The OFA director also said she wants to offer more to people who attend the luncheon centers. The OFA may be reached at (585) 268-9390.

“If anybody out there has a skill or hobby they would like to share, contact us. Any quilters or artisans who want to talk about their craft, we would like to have them come to our luncheon centers,” she said.

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